Flying to the land of Enlightenment- Bodh Gaya

Flying dream

Flying is a dream in making for all. Yet the inspiration came before science could challenge the world with proof and experiments, Buddhist ideas of flying dates back to the origin of martial arts and meditations. Many like Mila Repa attained the siddhas and flew from place to place.

Churning excitement infringement

 Hearing the upon the legendary story of Guru Rimpochey flying at the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong to Paro Taktsang and Kekharathoe sending into exile from Tibet to Khenpajong in wooden crafted aeroplane in 7th century-makes me to think of Guru Rimpochey's blessings throughout centuries.
  Glimpsing Paro Taktsang cliff from the plane window was breathtaking- bringing some urgency for waking up call for life.
Flying is fun as the creativity and imagination has played the wonders for human from flying like a bird and swimming  like  a fish.
It was a deep touching moment of life to see my old souls being seated for second time. It brought me the tear of joy to see the old feets stepping on the wings of Druk air.
Delightfully a time came for the departing Dragon from Bhutann in a few minutes.

An old faces- readying to fly

A kind of celebrating the meeting of son and a mother in same seat.
Inside a flight, beautiful airhosters with smiles and native Bhutanese music for ears- viewing the snow capped mountains flying was like meditating in action.
Reading a Trashi Delek magazine and chewing snacks was the most fulfilling dream for me as lover of reader.
 Many passengers from differnt walks of life- monks and lama chanting. Surprise meeting of old friends bring big smiles and some are in good sleep.
Having landed at Gaya Airport, the passenger's sense of quickening to the entrance of an immigration office and lagguage collecting was an instant act.
After waiting for more than half an hour, I went in search of my lagguge and found one packed box was missing. Immediately asked for the official to fix the lost lagguge. It was found in awhile.
The half of the job was already done by  cousin Lama Jamyang booking air tickets, arranging rooms, reserving Taxi and buying a SIM card for me.
 Safely my team was dropped at the spot of Buddha's land in the middle of day getting the sickening experience in town.
Mouthing Indian tongue was challenging and I wished for watching Hindi cartoons in childhood days.
Funny at the same time and some embarrassing incident strike me like others to remember the day. knocking and entering to another room. I tired unlocking others room using a key which was my ignorant acts.( I forgot the room no. But in a key numbering was wrongly mentioned.
On second day, we had the good fortune of receiving the Blessings from Minling Khenchen, Gyangkhang Rimpochey, Garab Rimpochey and Muksang Rimpochey. They were presiding over  the last day of 30 th Annual Moenlam Chennmo.
On third day-I consider the prigilimage with my grandfather was most rejoicing movement of my life- grandfather promised to say sorry to himself for being an active smoker. And reduce the drinking habits.( his daily subsituated drink includes juice, water and  Indian masala tea)
On same day we chanced the nearby scared sites visit and it was a great blessings of the lord Buddha that my grandfather was spritually transforming- seeing his  eyes closed and  bowing withfolded hands and chanting the mantra in decreasing breath.
 The pleasure of flying with my Grandparents to the heart land of Buddha's Enlightenment was  like family trip to 'the land of Buddhas' to what Englighment means to individuals understanding.
By the Blessings of Guru Rimpochey, lama Rimpochey ,parents, relatives- I have felt the blessings of the Lord Buddha and seen his enlightening activities as vast as sky and deep as oceans.  Sadly, to my eyeing beggars, I couldn't offer anything then a gesture of love and smile- but they were never away from my prayers for the cause of their Enlightenment!
Returning flight was a big blessings for my team-got blessings from Younphu la Rimpochey and Nyoshoel Yangsi.
My inspiring prayers to all my sentient beings are may they attain Buddhahood under buddhas wisdom and kindness.
This time flying was a most fulfilling as it was a total cause for spritual undertaking and experimenting the truth of sufferings and enlightening deeds of Buddha.

Gamung Dungjur- heart of Gamungpas

Gamung:the land of joy.
 A village is surrounded by maize field and skeleton of orange trees.If you look further, there are abundant of red scarlet covering every households.I dont know who and when the  village was founded  but being the true son of Gamung, it became my subject of writing for today.Geographically  it is sandwiched between Shali and Gonpung villages.

Gamung village- photographed from Gonpung.

It has household around 30 roughly. The village  is touched by modern connectivity and wires-road and electricity.
After many years of schooling and finding the way of living, I traced  the significance of origin and it was my village.It was the days I was brought up with a piles of dried dirt  over red hardened face and terrorized  much by the words of  Khekpa( head hunters).

It still reverberates the beating of drum, cymbals and the music during Tshechu days and much feared from the emotioning faces of Atsara.

And only a place was DUNGJUR.

Dungjor was first set up by Lopen Chendrak and Tawmey as sponsoring of the mantra scripts for Dungkhor was  Domkhar lopen Barmu.(Domkhar lopen in common)
A Carpentery work  and labouring  of Mani Dungkhor was monitered by Jetshel Wangdi.
After few years,  a small temple was built up by locals and finalised a common spot for the people of gamung, similarly,

Newly built Mani Dungkhor- sponsored by local, civil servants and generous donars.

First cham was instituted for lhakhang. Some of the mask dancers  were sent to Yaak Gang Monger to learn the chaams.
Among them Gaylong Drak Tsechu's father was known as Gasha  watsu( being a Hunter) was  one.
Today the Chaam Poen's role was shouldered by Mr. Tashi Phuntsho.He had the experience of dancing for more than thirty years. He is also  a  legendary dancer of  our time. He trains the new ones and make sure the Tshechu is performed annually. ( experienced Dzongkhag dancers)
Before Tshechu was  a good time for the people to share the common joy of appreciating the cultures, wearing an eye catching dresses and sharing a meals and  drinks. Only a few- very less of local shops could be sighted but now a days, Tshechu has been a place of businesses hub, gambling place and smacking the beer bottles.
More than the Tshechu it is a festive mood for the people to celebrate their hard work of the year and hope for another better more years to come.

Chaam poen- training the assistant Chaam poen.

During Tshechu- annual rimdro called Mangdok, fireoffering and other obstacles averting rituals are performered as per the astrological findings and the advices.
I was happy to hear about the legendary dances performed by local folks in olden days.Meymey Tendri( passed away)- who was gaint and tall resembling the appearance of mountain always had the pleasure of  dancing with a lion headed mask during Dramitse Ngachaam. The way he danced was amusing and till date people remembers him for the beautiful gesture of his dance.
While another lopen kuwang, lhendrup and Bobjay ( all passed away)had the preferences of dancing the Yamataka dance in pairs.

Small temple that houses for few statues.

The performing antics and dances of An Atsara was Meymey Donpey,(passed away)his boldness, humorous and short tempered qualities was the man of legend who remembers him till date.
To my growing age in a village , I remember the days when lama kinga from Kheri Gonpa and Chaskhar lopen would come and preside over the Tshechu and the naked dance of lopen Norbu to stop rain.
The Tshechu was also performed during the eight months of the Bhutanese calendar but now with the decreasing number of villagers, they  opts  during winter with School going children.
Finally, it was a blessings to know such place that holds the significance and inspiration. It is a good reflection for the aging man like me and one day I shall take pride in explaining to my children about the place.
Declaration: The information provided above are liable for change as and when I can authenticate the facts and figures.

New structure-sponsored by govt.

Note:Serthakpa lopen ( short in appearance)had an influence over Nongar lopen and Domkhar lopen- the roots of all teaching was originated from Tokden Sakya Shri.
Tsampa Thinley from Ngorkhe(zobel)was the teacher of Kinzang Yeshey.(Dechen Ata)From him, he was introduced to the skills of painting,crafting and performing rituals. He had much influence in uniting and sustaining the annual Tsechu for many years.
Asper my findings: no recorded dates of establishment. Calculating of time period was heavy headache for me since no written notes could be traced out. No proper facts and figures.

Source: oral history from Gupdrep Rinzin

New year note 2019

Closing Note : 2018:Tuesday,1st January,2019.
Generally,the year has been a great year for me. At national level, witnessing the big event over BBS,the beautiful face of H.H Je-khenpo, His Majesty the 5th king,His Majesty the 4th king and our little crown prince , meeting of their together-time and day has been a touching moment of the year for me.
At personal level, It has been third year of my service to the nation as a teacher. I have laughed enough,joked enough and taught enough, answered enough for the students,but I still question, * Did they learn enough from me?* It has been a good year of reflection. But seeing their innocent faces and smiles was the everyday miracles teacher sees in a year.
Year was spritually rich but financially poor for me however, everyday answers and solutions lies in *how you manage!* Having attended the Youngla Phurpai Drupchen and various religious discourse have given me the impression of our past glory as a Buddhist. I rejoiced on the legacy of our forefathers.
I have learnt to live in a society, where now the sense of competition is taking its roots over compassion. People likes to see more of Drunkard man than hardworking man.It was a sad findings of the year.
It was a big success in nurturing the dream of having home Library. Ofcourse a small collections! I have found a big reason for the books and Buddhist scriptures to be inside my rooms. As wished I got the books of my taste and prints.
Written regular journals but updating the articles in my personal blog was very less. So, this coming year would be the year of reading more books and watching less Tv.
As usual years, I have had good times reading books, eating all the losars, visiting toilets and drinking cups of water.
I have Watched less of Tsechu but admired more of Atsara dance in a Dzongkhag.
Finally, it was a blessings of Kenchoksum and Tsaawaasum for the year that I see parents,love, relatives and friends with a smiles around. Magically, I am breathing years after years, thanks my an old lungs and clean air. Happy new year 2019. Trashi Delek.

My Love for Maroon or White Apron dress- Purity of life

My Love for Maroon or White Apron dress- Purity of life

Remembering the times when immature mind admires the maroon dress was only a lifelong haunt that give me a chilly breath today.  This dreaming was only an innocent dream that I feel cherishing it to my death. Yet another big turn of life took me to nowhere than to confused life as of now.

Many ambitions came into my knowing after schooling despite being the cow herder for many years in the village.

Till the age, I don’t remember becoming someone else in life like a great people did , but after my class 12 graduation only I have liked the job of becoming a neurosurgeon to wear the white apron and understand the functioning of the brain. But it didn’t happen rather it was too late for my goals setting in life.

Man  in red to question the mission of life(Thinley Dorji)

I was reflecting on the conduct of my everyday living and thinking. To my age and knowledge of this life, I get only two answers to define myself.  I am Nima who is living without any goals for marriage, wealth and power but for learning quest for age.

Another definition of my life is the way I have lived. Till the age of 20th, I have wished to grow fast and be the man and take up the hardship of life but it didn’t happen. I didn’t grow well with my age. I have learnt to be adult when I was small simply I adorned the role of adults.

I would have become Dorji Lopen by this age if I was taken by the Dzongkhag lama Neten. Once I was asked to become monk but my inner conscience and the merit didn’t meet the criteria of becoming it. I would have taken all my sentient beings into my heart and head so that my livings embody the love and compassion.

 Sudden twisting and turning of life-I didn’t opt for teacher as my career rather I became accidentally, as I supposed. I have learnt to teach my students based on their learning and I am happy for meeting the different faces and minds today. I am surviving because of my students; I am discovering the hardship of teaching yet so many learning and transformation that are shaping my every day conduct and attitude of my life.

 Becoming surgeon was my dream for a while for the love of people. I didn’t want to become anyone rather than chasing the dream of wearing maroon dress. I would be operating my mind with Buddha’s wisdom sword that would give me the godly satisfaction.

My love for maroon dress didn’t die after passing of many years of course my innocent mind is getting lost with the time. I have learnt the art of survival in an adult age where people practice corruptions, nepotism and bureaucratic tyranny in the offices. However, I am not into it; I try to guide my living with compassion into action and mindfulness into integration to weigh my morale stand for my life. I don’t have to impress anyone in life not my teachers, parents and friends but to myself without involving to above practices.

The reason for the love of maroon dress was neither on reputation nor for earning a respect or to stay above man. My core reason is to understand the truth of life and suffering as Buddha did. Another reason is to understand my own mind. I really like the concept of this ‘universe is in mind’.

By wearing the maroon, I want to exercise my living on the concept like Guru Devotion, compassion, and nature of mind but I feel sorry for myself for not wearing even at this age. Now, like an old dog I will sit in corner thinking and admiring the dress, because, I didn’t have enough merit to wear it than admiring it.

Often I am questioning to myself, do I really need to wear it if I inherit the minds of Buddha. I concluded that wearing and not wearing of it doesn’t make sense to the mind if the essence is known to my ordinary mind.  But I am promising that I shall respect and revere those who are wearing it . However, I take the words of great masters that simply wearing  maroon and following the masters doesn’t make you enlighten. All the heart teaching of the master should be experienced by follower himself, rather now I should endure for it.

Finally, my love for maroon dress will help me towards the spiritual  seeking of life. 

Note; Written for literary explorations from lock and key diary.

My pleasure on election Duty and its Challenge

My Pleasure on Election Duty and its Challenge

This time, I was for second time on election duty at Tsebar Lss as assistant Presiding officer.

The beauty of being on election duty is, we experience a new, unique, odd and new outlook of every village life. Often, I hear from my friend as " Zhungi Phap" on such duties, we see old friends and get good time to eat and sleep despite the high risk involvement if the service wasn't free and fair.

 

Common view of Tsebar Village and the way of livelihood- surrounded by cultivatable lands.

Particularly, Tsebar Village has got many religious monuments to meet your spiritual thirst,to name few, Jangchub chorten near the Japanese tunnel connecting Nganglam high way road. Just above the tunnel, there is a unique structural Chorten. Above Chorten magnificent Zangdokpleri stands offering with a strategic views to the people.Adjacent to this village there stands a beautiful Khawar Gonpa, where people come together to do their annual rituals and Drubchens.

 The view of Khawar Goenpa from my station

The most rewarding of all than receiving TADA,I get to learn many new things from the village. Of-course, Tsebar village is well know for craftsmanship of Duung and Jaalaing( religious instrument), this time I found skilled blacksmith on his work with a striking hammer and hot coal burning to make me a real sense.

The blacksmith at work,  Jaaling processing.

The village has around five hundred eligible voters and our duties are meant for their easy and convenient voting throughout the poll day. So, my team has ensured safe and secure voting to choose their right leader. However, everything didn't go well to new officials as expected because they need to become familiar with people and place. Many goes back with their own untold stories home for friends and family.

On my part not merely a big challenge but a learning new experience for the year.

I was only a vegetarian among our team and eating a non.veg curry was a challenge for me as well to the cooks.(police officials team did cooking) Neither I could ask them to prepare different veg.curry nor there was kitchen utensil and veg.to meet my need. I accepted the challenge and broke the promise of not eating dry fish at least on that particular meal. My level of hunger was high, so ate it. 

Another challenge was sleeping in Mph. My officials team arranged their bed on their choices and almost all occupied in four corners with a socket to recharge mobile battery. Luckily, I tried to manage my bed with my friend Sonam. Sleeping in a big room doesn't allow me a sound sleep because,their was an echoing of every sounds, phone calls,table moment or fan's moment. I am a Person who cannot sleep well, if fatty person snores like a Gypsum drill. 

My election duty officials.Venue: Tsebar LSS

Most irritating time was when dogs barks and cry on odd hours and housefly landing on my tip of nose. 

But those were little challenges but, other man's story could be worse even some didn't get a room for good accommodations.

Most interestingly, I had a good time being with my former Dzo.lopen. He taught me Dzo.during high school days. He was a presiding officer and his rich experience has been a blessings to our team. Overnight, we talked and shared our working experiences on politics, business and long legacy of people.

I also read few chapters on book called Think and become rich by Neoplolen Bill. I tired drawing the rough map of Khawar Gonpa view from my station.

On second day, our team was visited by police officers and his team. Briefed us to be aware of posting the photos on social media that are supposed to be sensitive to result in unfair voting or brain washing the public.

Most of our election duty days were spent on sleep and basking in a sun. It was a happy holiday from the school daily activities to re -energize person like me.

Finally, I learnt survival skills depending upon the good and worse situations. Yet it was fun experiencing the beauty of the village life.

Disclaimer: It's personal story and simple experiment on my writing. No further consequences is expected to arise.

Altar:Finding a spiritual spot inside the room

Altar –Finding a spiritual spot inside the room

Choeshum is a center of spiritual object of refuge seeking or that opens your mind and heart for the cause of Enlightenment. It is a special place that embodies the living truth of blessings from the great beings and the Buddha particularly in Buddhist traditions.

Going back to my childhood memories, moment I woke up from the bed, I could hear the morning chants and pouring of water in the seven lines of bowl in another room, that one who did was my grandmother. Her,morning prayers and worship was the very highlight of the days’ activities in our family. This an act of seeking the day's blessing was inherited by me to this age. I do in a similar way. Right after getting up from the bed, I clean the room that houses my Choeshum and make some offerings of light and water.

At my home, Choeshum is a must to house the statues of Guru Rimpochey and Lord Budhha. My grandmother would seek everyday blessings infront of  the altar and pray with open heart to help the beings. She also offers whatever she gets along the daily living and working in the village.

I feel, it was such a blessings to know the idea of setting up Choeshum and its significance at home. Having not imbibed in such rich cultural and spiritual energies, I would have resorted idolizing Salman Khan or Osama Binladen. But having brought up in the strong Buddhist believes and  culture, I know who is Guru Rimpochey and Lama Zhubdrung Rimpochey or Lama Drupa Kuenley and some of their doctrines to my age.

In one sense, Choeshum is a road map for one’s enlightenment and the greatest endeavor of this life. It reminds one pointed devotions amidst the worldly concerns and activities. It is an art, and we bring to it an artist’s delight and fertility of invention upon the wishes. In Buddhist approach of taking the devotions and meditations in heart, there are so many ways of making the approach to practice as joyful as possible. A home can be a temple and rooms can be the deity’s rooms. 

It is a place where you lit a candle or a stick of incense, and transform the rooms into an intimate sacred space, into an environment where every day you come to the meeting with your true self with all the joy and appreciations. It emits the spiritual light for the members in a house and the outside viewers. It blinds you to nowness and forgets you questioning the origin and history of Choeshum.

Recently, my friend also afforded one new Choeshum costing twenty-five thousands. And after painting with rich sign and symbols of Buddhist images, it‘s total cost was around 45 thousands. To my surprise, he bought it for credits and I could make out how much he has yearned for it. Now it is his lifelong spiritual wealth and eye opener for his appreciation for the Buddhist cultures and practices.

In every house hold, rich or poor, man or woman would like owning a Choeshum to their higher respect and veneration.

Finally, it is a source of seeking blessings and venerating your devotions to the Buddhas, Boddhisatavas and the great beings. By the power of your devotions and blessings of those great  beings, you are never away from the path of enlightenment,because you have beautiful Choeshum in your heart and house.

Note:  Written for my writing pleasures.

Staring Rabbit: My Tribute to Gyalsey Jigme Namgyal Wangchuk

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